IRVING, Texas — Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky announced Wednesday that the 2008 C-USA Women’s Basketball Championship has been awarded to UCF, as unanimously approved by the conference board of directors. The Knights will serve as host for the event, which will be played at the new 10,000-seat UCF Convocation Center.

“We are excited to have UCF hosting our women’s basketball championship,” Banowsky said. “Having the tournament in UCF’s new Convocation Center will be special. They have done an excellent job in hosting previous conference championships, most recently in softball. We’re looking forward to their support and hospitality during this event.”

This will be the first conference tournament hosted inside the facility and the first for UCF since the 2002-03 season, when the Knights played host to the Atlantic Sun women’s tournament. The season prior to that, the men hosted a postseason tournament.

“The UCF Convocation Center is yet another sign of a strong commitment of athletic excellence from our administration,” said UCF Director of Athletics and Executive Vice President Keith R. Tribble. “With the opening of our new state-of-the-art basketball arena this fall, followed by construction on a new practice facility, UCF will undoubtedly be in an advantageous position to host such strong events as the conference basketball championship.”

In addition to the new venue, C-USA members hope to draw additional fans based upon Orlando being a tourist attraction.

The 2008 C-USA Women’s Basketball Championship will feature all 12 league programs and will be held from March 6-9.

In C-USA’s 12-year existence, the women’s tournament has traveled around to 10 different cities and has been hosted by eight universities. Former members Louisville and DePaul hosted the four-day event twice.

“Since coming onboard as head coach this spring, I continue to be impressed by the administration’s commitment to the athletics programs,” said Joi Williams, who was hired in March as the 11th head women’s basketball coach in UCF history. “The Convocation Center is just one example. As host of the 2008 C-USA Women’s Basketball Championship, we have the opportunity to showcase that commitment and our new facility on the national stage.”

In November, the Knights will make their debut at the UCF Convocation Center, which has double the seating capacity of their previous home. Among the other amenities at the new facility are the addition of luxury suites and premium seating and a state-of-the-art Daktronics Pro-Star LED Video Board.

For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports.